Manufacturing Controls Engineer

Our Next Energy Inc; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Our Next Energy Inc. seeks an experienced Automation & Controls Engineer to design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems for automated manufacturing equipment.

You will develop control logic on Rockwell/Allen Bradley and Siemens platforms, configure HMI/SCADA, and support MES interfaces while leading safety and commissioning efforts. Responsibilities include data collection and diagnostics tooling, robotics/vision integration, FAT/SAT collaboration, and continuous improvement of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering.
• 5+ years of controls engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with automated production lines or industrial equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems for automated manufacturing equipment.
• Develop and maintain control logic using Rockwell (Allen Bradley), Siemens, or similar PLC systems.
• Configure HMI/SCADA systems for machine monitoring, diagnostics, and operator interfaces.
• Develop and maintain automated production data collection, reporting, and diagnostic tools.
• Support MES, production traceability, and automation interfaces between PLCs and enterprise systems.
• Integrate, troubleshoot, and optimize robotics, vision systems, and automation interfaces for high-volume production.
• Lead controls design, installation, and commissioning of new manufacturing equipment.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and integrators during FAT/SAT and documentation.
• Design and validate machine safety systems including safety PLCs, interlocks, and emergency stops.

Skills

PLC programming

Robotics integration

Machine vision systems

Electrical schematics

Panel design

Industrial networking

Safety systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering

Tools

Rockwell (Allen Bradley)

Siemens (TIA Portal)

HMI/SCADA platforms

Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, OPC

Job description

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Automation & Controls Development

• Design, program, and troubleshootPLC-based control systemsfor automated manufacturing equipment.

• Develop andmaintaincontrol logic using platforms such asRockwell (Allen Bradley), Siemens, or similar PLC systems.

• ConfigureHMI / SCADA systemsfor machine monitoring, diagnostics, and operatorinterface.

• Develop andmaintainautomated productiondata collection, reporting, and diagnostic toolsto support manufacturing performance.

• Supportmanufacturing execution systems (MES), production traceability, and automation interfacesbetween PLCs and enterprise systems.

• Integrate, troubleshoot, andoptimizerobotics, vision systems, and automated material handling equipment for high-volume production environments.

Equipment Integration & Commissioning

• Leadcontrols design, installation, and commissioningof new manufacturing equipment.

• Collaborate withequipment vendors and integratorsduring factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).

• Developcontrolsstandards and documentationfor plant automation systems.

Manufacturing Support

• Providetechnical troubleshooting supportfor production equipment downtime related to controls, sensors, drives,vision, PLC, robotics,and automation.

• Work closely withmaintenance and production teamsto diagnose,resolve, and improve automation system performance.

• Optimizecontrol strategies to improvecycle time, reliability, and equipment uptime.

Safety & Compliance

• Design andvalidatemachine safety systemsincluding safety PLCs, interlocks, emergency stops, and safeguarding systems.

• Ensure equipmentcomplies withOSHA, NFPA, and relevant machine safety standards.

• Supporthigh-voltage and lithium-ion manufacturing safety requirements.

Process Optimization

• Analyze equipment performance data toidentifyautomation improvements and efficiency gains.

• Implementprocess automation improvementsto increase throughput and reduce scrap.

• Supportcontinuous improvement initiatives and plant automation roadmaps.

• Leadroot cause investigationsfor automation-related production issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.

Documentation & Standards

• Support,maintain, and enforce plant automation standardsincluding programming architecture, documentation, naming conventions, and commissioning procedures

• Maintaindetailed documentation including:

• PLC/HMI codechange managementrevisions

• Open issuesmanagement

• Automation standardization

• Electrical schematicsredlines

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree inElectrical Engineering,Mechanical Engineering,SoftwareEngineering, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering

Experience

• 5+ yearsof controls engineering experience in amanufacturing environment
• Experience supportingautomated production lines or industrial equipment
• Experience withPLC programming, Robotics,and industrial automation systems

Technical Skills:

• PLC programming

• Allen Bradley (Studio 5000 /RSLogix)

• Siemens (TIA Portal)

• HMI/SCADA systems

• Industrial networking (Ethernet/IP,Profinet,IO-link,Modbus, OPC)

• Servo systems and VFD drives

• Robotics integration (Fanuc, ABB, Kuka, or similar)

• Machine vision systems(Keyence, Cognex)

• Electrical schematics and panel design

• Industrial sensors and instrumentation

Preferred Experience

• EV battery,Automotive,Lithium-ion,Semiconductor, orHigh-tech manufacturing

• Dry-room or clean-room manufacturing environments

• High-speed automated production lines
• Safety PLCs and machine safety standards (ISO 13849 / NFPA)
• Automation troubleshooting and problem solving
• Systems integration and commissioning
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Strong technical documentation skills